Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Khazana-Gat (Shakhorai, Ugad)
Field guide · Heritage
Khazana-Gat (Shakhorai, Ugad)
Khazana-gat (Shakhorai, Ugad), Swat is recognized as one of the significant Buddhist sites in Swat Valley.
Located slightly above Manglawar in the Ugad Valley, it houses three rock inscriptions attributed to the early Kushana period. Among these, the most important is a Sanskrit inscription containing a canonical Buddhist verse associated with Śākyamuni Buddha’s death. Scholars like Bühler translated it as a reflection on the impermanence of life and the bliss of nirvana. This suggests that Khazana-gat was part of the ancient Gandharan Buddhist landscape and likely held ritual or pilgrimage importance. Its proximity to the famous Jahanabad Buddha enhances its religious value. Over time, the site has gained attention for its epigraphic contributions to Buddhist studies.
Why go
- ✦Buddhist heritage
- ✦Gandhara archaeology
- ✦history
Current Condition
Khazana-gat’s Kushan-era Buddhist inscriptions—including a rare Sanskrit verse on Buddha’s parinirvana—weather unprotected under KP Archaeology’s neglect, their sacred texts slowly eroding on Swat’s cliffs. Only silicone casting and augmented reality displays can preserve these philosophical masterpieces while making them accessible to pilgrims and scholars.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, Year-round; confirm local conditions and any festival dates before travel.
Getting there, In or near Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; confirm current local access before visiting.
